Request a Quote

Phoenix Security Blog

Virtual Block Watch Program

Have you heard of the Virtual Block Watch program? Recently launched by Phoenix Police, it's one of the "contemporary crime prevention and investigation tools that demonstrates the effectiveness of partnerships between police and the community". As described by Sgt. Vincent Lewis on episode 8 of our podcast, it's pin map of locations around our city that lets officers know there are security cameras operating in that area. The goal is to reduce the amount of time between the commission of a crime and identification and arrest of a suspect in that crime.

So how can you be a part of it? It's easy. Simply register here and fill out simple information such as your name, address, types and amounts of cameras and contact information. After registering someone from Phoenix Police will contact you to verify the information and you will also receive a window decal to display in your home or business. From that point on, Phoenix Police will only contact you in the event of criminal activity in the vicinity of your security camera. They may request a copy of video from your camera that could assist in solving the crime.

Surveillance footage has become an important and compelling witness in our modern age. They are a valuable resource to fight crime and if you have a camera you can be of assistance. If you have surveillance cameras at your home or business sign up for this program today and you can help fight crime in Phoenix!

Network Alarm Systems and Commercial Businesses │Phoenix

Failsafe Your Business Network with an Intrusion Detection and Prevention Alarm System

Commercial businesses in Phoenix have evolved to the degree they now need more sophisticated tools to protect their private and public networks against security threats. No longer is it enough to use just a firewall. They must augment it using a network-based alarm system, an IDS / IPS intrusion detection and prevention system.

Two components make up an intrusion detection and prevention system: an intrusion detection system (IDS) and an intrusion prevention system (IPS).

Intrusion Detection.

Performs the task of monitoring events showing up in your network. IDS analyzes the events for indicators of possibly-occurring incidents, security breaches, or impending security threats to security procedures.

Intrusion Prevention.

Overlays IDS and also monitors events. But performs the extra step of stopping oncoming incidents.

Challenges to IDS / IPS Addresses

In most business networks, there exists several places in the network that can access other public and private networks. IDS / IPS helps to keep networks open to customers without the networks becoming vulnerable to security interference.

IDS / IPS systems continually monitor your business network, noting and creating logs on incidents that may be threatening your business network, halting the incidents in their tracks, and notifying security administrators.

Another use for IDS / IPS systems is they can proactively troubleshoot security procedures to check if there are any problems that are allowing individuals to violate security procedures. This kind of security monitoring works in real time, identifying and stopping attackers as they try to collect information on your network.

IDS / IPS systems have become indispensable in today’s high-risk security climate, in which attack software has progressed to the level it can defeat even superior security systems. With network security breaches happening all the time at corporations like Target, and most recently Yahoo, a company of today can’t afford not to have the latest in network alarm systems.

Here at Phoenix Security & Technology we'd be happy to assist you in finding and installing an alarm system that works for you! Give us a call at 602-248-8477 or request a quote at the link below!

National Gun Safety Awareness Day - June 2, 2017

"National Gun Safety Awareness Day" was started in 2015 to commemorate Hadiya Pendleton, who was shot and killed in Chicago when she was just 15 years old. After her death, her friends wore orange in honor of her and asked people to continue the tradition by wearing orange on "National Gun Safety Awareness Day".

Why Orange?

As stated on the wearorange.org website: "Orange is what hunters wear in the woods to protect themselves and others from harm. Orange is a bright, bold color that demands to be seen. Orange expresses our collective hope as a nation — a hope for a future free from gun violence."

How Can You Help?

Join the millions of Americans who are wearing orange today. You can share your support by posting the hastag #WearOrange to your preferred social media network. You can also let your voice be heard by sending a letter to legislation or local businesses about gun safety. In addition, you can host or attend an awareness event.

Gun violence kills more than 90 Americans each day and injurs hundreds more. This day sends a powerful message that there is more we can do to end gun violence.

Events in Phoenix

Here in Phoenix, there will be an event located at:

First Congregational Church UCC

1407 N 2nd St

Phoenix, AZ 85004

It will start at 6:30pm.

Here's a description of what you can expect:

Please join AZ Moms Demand Action, Arizonans for Gun Safety, and Indivisible Phoenix for an interfaith remembrance service for those taken by gun violence. We will hear from local and state leaders, enjoy refreshments with some music, and participate in some collaborative art. We are going to light up the evening to show solidarity and commitment to ending gun violence in our communities.

Phoenix Comicon Dazzles with Amazing Science Content

To say the least, this was certainly an interesting year for Phoenix Comicon. A scary situation on Thursday brought about tighter security and a prop weapon ban. We'll talk about some of the security aspects in later articles and podcasts, but for now, we want to focus on all of the incredible science content that was at Phoenix Comicon this year! Hats off to RealtimeSTEAM, who negotiated and produced the space for all of these amazing science events!

INCREDIBLE PANELS

They did an OUTSTANDING job integrating real world science with pop culture for Phoenix Comicon! There were several imaginative panels that explored the science behind things like the Justice League, Halo, Mr. Robot, The Twilight Zone, Futurama, Star Trek and more! They were fun, creative and you could tell the panelists had such passion for whatever they were talking about!

There were also some more 'real world' based panels that touched on topics like cyber security, STEM, microbes, domestification, birdwatching, pharmaceuticals and more! I think curiosity is a trait most comicon goers have in common so it's amazing to have all of these learning rich panels to attend. I particularly enjoyed the 'AZ Stars of Science' panel featuring local science powerhouses Dante Lauretta, Sharon O'Neal and Bert Jacobs!

OPPORTUNITIES FOR EDUCATORS

On Thursday there was also an excellent opportunity for educators. The Edutech Expo provided technological and instructional resources from Arizona's STEM community. I did not attend since I'm not an educator, but I'm sure it was amazing! It was also cool to see that K-12 and community college instructors could recieve Professional Development credits for attending programming with credentialed panelists!

This con was information overload in the best way possible! I just wish I would have had more time to explore everything. Also, can you imagine how awesome a Science Con on the scale of Phoenix Comicon would be?!

1984: Surveillance in our Modern Age

It seems like hardly a day goes by where we don't hear about the topic of surveillance in the news. Government investigations, reports of state-of-the-art surveillance systems and concerns about privacy are just a few examples.

But this is hardly a new thing. For decades, people have had surveillance on their minds. One very notable example of this is Orson Well's Nineteen-Eighty-Four (1984). Way back in 1949 Wells wrote this futuristic dystopian novel and it seems more relevant now than ever.

Since 1984 has gotten a lot of publicity lately I thought it would be interesting to dig in and give you a brief overview of the novel and discuss some of the themes of surveillance in our modern age.

A Brief Summary of 1984

1984 takes place in Oceania, a fictional totalitarian state in what used to be the United Kingdom. It follows Winston Smith, a low-ranking worker of the Records Department of the Ministry of Truth. His job is to alter history and make it fit the need of the Party. The Party is an oppressive government that maintains rigid control over its citizens by constant surveillance and thought control. Winston becomes increasingly frustrated and illegally purchases a diary where he can write his thoughts, a highly illegal act. He meets Julia and they form a relationship that does not go unnoticed. These criminal acts bring Winston under the scrutiny of the oppressive Party as they try to make him conform.

Big Brother is Watching

You've probably heard the term "Big Brother". This phrase has become so popular that a it's become synonymous with abuse of government power, it's been featured in advertising campaigns and even had a reality show where the contestants are under constant surveillance named after it! But it's origins are in fact, with this novel.

Big Brother is the leader in 1984, it's never clearly defined whether is a real person or simply a symbolism. But nonetheless, is a constant reminder to the people that they their every move is being monitored. Big Brother is describes as "a handsome man in his mid 40s" that appears on telescreens and posters reminding people "Big Brother is Watching".

Newspeak

Another notable element in 1984 is "Newspeak". Newspeak is the official language of Oceania. It is a controlled language designed to limit freedom of thought by simplifying complete thoughts into contractions. The political purpose of Newspeak was to reduce the language to simple concepts thus eliminating ambiguity and nuance. All standard words that implied negativity were removed and aided in further thought control of the people.

Doublethink

Doublethink is a part of Newspeak which entails simultaneously accepting two contradictory beliefs. The brainwashed citizens learn and use Newspeak and Doublethink due to peer pressure. Themes of truth are very prevalent in 1984 and have caused it to gain recent notoriety due to "fake news" and "alternative facts" flooding our newsfeeds.

A Modern Day Analysis

If you listened to our History of Surveillance Cameras podcast, you know surveillance cameras didn't even really start to be widely used until the sixties and seventies. I am so fascinating by Mr. Orwell's predictions into a future with surveillance state. There are so many parallels we see with 1984 and the world today, but what can we learn from it?

Obviously there's a ton of things we can learn from this novel, now more than ever. (If you haven't read the book, I highly recommend it!) But, since we are a surveillance company I'll stick with that angle.

Surveillance cameras have undoubtedly become a valuable tool for businesses. We live in a dangerous world and they do add a measure of protection from those who wish to do harm. But while surveillance has benefits, it also has costs. So stay alert to privacy rights and keep yourself informed. And if you find yourself burdened by constant connectivity, do what you can to take a break from modern society!